Palermo, Whole Of Western Sicily, In Allied Hands

Northern Advocate, 24 July 1943, Page 3

Palermo, Whole Of Western Sicily, In Allied Hands

(Rec. 10 a.m.) LONDON, July 23. Algiers radio says that the Italian 26th Division surrendered, and adds that Western Sicily is in our hands and all organised resistance has collapsed. American advanced forces who occupied Palermo met little resistance as they moved rapidly northward. Palermo, the last big stronghold of the Italians in the west with its extensive docks and shipping accommodation will be of the greatest value to the Allies.

Savage fighting is proceeding for Catania where the Eighth Army has widened the bridgeheads across the river protecting the town. The Germans are suffering very heavy casualties. Vast minefields are hampering the Eighth Army’s movements. Falermo, capital of Sicily, has a population of 417.000 and Catania 244,000. The Americans captured Palermo at 10 a.m. yesterday. Morocco radio claims that Axis troops have abandoned Trapani and Marsala. The whole southern coast of Sicily is now in our hands, says a British Press correspondent with the American Seventh Army.

The capture of Castel Vetrano on Wednesday is. being followed up by armoured elements which are infiltrating into the fertile plain of the western end of the island.

Reinforcements by Air

As the American Seventh Army and Canadians sweep through Western and Northern Sicily with little or no opposition, reinforcements of German troops are being flown to the island to man the defence line being hastily improvised across the north-eastern tip, says a correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph’’ at Allied headquarters. The Axis has evidently decided to abandon all airfields, ports and naval bases other than those at Messina.

The Germans are flinging in fresh reserves in an attempt to stem the tide of the Eighth Army’s advance on Catania, but are suffering an ever-mount-ing toll of casualties without doing more than slew down General Montgomery's drive. Retreating Axis troops are blowing up bridges in an attempt to prevent a break-through in force. The ferocious Axis opposition outside Catania and also stiff resistance that the Canadians are meeting north of Ramncea, make it increasingly apparent that the enemy is using the narrowing northern belt as a corridor for escape to the mountainous territory around Mount Etna.

“Blitz Out-Blitzed”

“The Americans are now out-blitzing the military machine which invented the blitz,” said the Commander of the Seventh Army (General Patton). The Americans captured 25,800 prisoners. Enemy casualties are estimated at 32.000. The Seventh Army knocked out 84 tanks, including 14 Tigers, and captured at least 248 guns. 446 other vehicles, 400 tons of fuel. 10.500.000 rounds of ammunition, and destroyed 160 planes. The figures given were conservative. General Patton praised the Allied air force for keeping down American losses from enemy planes. Italians Lack Spirit “There is nothing in this war quite comparable with the utter collapse of the Italian fighting spirit in Sicily.” says the Algiers correspondent of "The Times.” “The Italians previously surrendered in large numbers. They usually fought badly, but always some units were willing to fight for a certain length of time. The Italians must realise that they are fighting only rearguard actions for the Germans and, at best, for the Fascist regime which they no longer want. Axis allies always turn against each other in defeat, and there is positive evidence that something of the sort is happening in Sicily. There are occasions iwhere German officers have been shot by their Italian froops and other instances where the Germans shot Italians advancing under the white flag. The hatred between Axis partners is now beginning to come out into the open. “The Germans at Catania are contesting every inch of ground, which is something that everybody who thinks vve will win quickly in Europe should keep in mil d. “Tito Nazis are formidable as ever.”

Axis Driven Before Allies

Warha'.vks yesterday shot down 17 of 25 Axis aircraft encountered over Sardinia. Seven more were destroyed elsewhere, making 24 for the loss of six Allied planes. Allied sources report that the American Seventh Army is now advancing rapidly in an easterly direction along the northern coast of Sicily from Palermo. The capture of Palermo cut the island in two. The American advance had been so rapid that the Axis had no time for demolition work in Palermo. In eastern Sicily the Axis is now confined to a narrow coastal strip only 15 to 20 miles deep. One correspondent says many British troops who fought through the desert campaign say the present battle before Catania is the most severe they have known. Germans Fighting Fiercely A correspondent of the “Exchange Telegraph” with the Eighth Army says: "The Germans are fighting hard and resisting our push to Catania, but General Montgomery's net is slowly but surely closing in. The fiercest fighting is still occurring on the plain immediately south of the town. Axis forces consist mostly of young parachutists flown from France last week, who are fighting fanatically. The Allies are unable to make full use of tanks because of rivers _ forming natural hazards. The battle is mostly confined to artillery and infantry, with the majority of our attacks launched under cover of darkness and creeping artillery barrages." Rome Admits Desperate Position Rome radio admits that fighting in Sicily has now taken a desperate turn. The Italian and German right wing, which hinges on the Catania sector, is ' repulsing desperate British attempts to break through. Vichy radio reports that Allied air operations over Sardinia are becoming more frequent and more violent. Malta Opens New Offensive Malta opened another phase in the Sicilian campaign when light bombers, based on the island, gave close support to Allied troops. Baltimores and Bostons, making their first acquaintance with the island's rocky aerodromes, went out on a tactical bombing mission against Adrano and Paternc, attacking roads and enemy transport. Most of our attacks must be launched under cover of darkness, when our infantry, under creeping artillery barrages, continue to enlarge the bridgehead across the river into the plain. Enemy pillboxes here have to be cleared up one by ! one. Practically . nothing is seen of enemy aircraft over the front areas, where our fighters constantly patrol without fighi